Re: complete rookie to this. . .

Welcome b10! I don't really know what you will like but for me I recently purchased Hermes Bel Ami (citrus/leather) and Christian Lacroix Tumulte pour Homme (cedar galore)--very different frags and both nice additions to my wardrobe.

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

A big mistake is to buy bottles of similar frags, and then you are stuck with them because they are common designer ones. Why not just do some sampling? Do you have stores with tester bottles, such as Ulta or Sephora, near you? It sounds like your best strategy is to sample while you learn the notes and genres. Some BNers have a lot of samples to sell or swap, and there are places you can get them from online, such as The Perfumed Court.

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

Try Quarum by A. Puig -very nice pine topnote then leather. Second the recomendations for Chanel Pour Monsieur,Egoiste ,or Egoiste Platinum. YSL Opium edp mens for a great spice-vanilla the edt has weird mint and something else in it.
Try some of the Black scents too Bulgari,Kenneth Cole,Ralph Lauren and Double Black.
You might want to check a discounter Ross ,T.J. Maxx, or Marshalls sometimes you can find the same thing that is at the higher end stores for a whole lot less . Sometimes it's nice to get a whole bottle or set of minis at a discounter to try . Also minis and full bottles are resaleable on BN if the scent doesn't work for you decants and samples are swap only.

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

If you like La Nuit de L'Homme I would strongly recommend trying Paul Smith London. It has unfortunately been recently discontinued, but I wore it for 4 years and when La Nuit came out last year I considered buying it as an (in my mind inferior but acceptable) alternative. If you can find a way to smell it without buying a bottle, do! It is obviously a totally different fragrance but the two share some similar ideas and attitudes. Others I'd recommend:

Chanel Pour Monsieur (the original, not the pointless, massively inferior and totally different Concentrée version that everywhere seems to stock).
Dior Eau Sauvage (I've always seen ES and PM as partners in awesomeness)

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

Originally Posted by Benj

Chanel Pour Monsieur (the original, not the pointless, massively inferior and totally different Concentrée version that everywhere seems to stock).

To each his own! They are two different frags alltogether,
and I find the Concentrée way superiour to the classic one.
It's a sweeter and oriental frag, which smells mighty classy.
The original last max. 2 hours, whereas the Concentrée last
for ages!
I'd say sample both.

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

Originally Posted by Le Grand Duc

To each his own! They are two different frags alltogether,
and I find the Concentrée way superiour to the classic one.
It's a sweeter and oriental frag, which smells mighty classy.
The original last max. 2 hours, whereas the Concentrée last
for ages!
I'd say sample both.

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

Originally Posted by Le Grand Duc

To each his own! They are two different frags alltogether,
and I find the Concentrée way superiour to the classic one.
It's a sweeter and oriental frag, which smells mighty classy.
The original last max. 2 hours, whereas the Concentrée last
for ages!
I'd say sample both.

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

You're doing the right thing. Sample, sample, sample.

As for what I would recommend you checking out based on the ones you say you like: M7 (you are already looking for), Rive Gauche, Bvlgari Blv, Guerlain Vetiver, and maybe Versace The Dreamer (but let it get past the top notes).

Re: complete rookie to this. . .

Originally Posted by Le Grand Duc

To each his own! They are two different frags alltogether,
and I find the Concentrée way superiour to the classic one.
It's a sweeter and oriental frag, which smells mighty classy.
The original last max. 2 hours, whereas the Concentrée last
for ages!
I'd say sample both.

Oh, and +1 for Égoïste; Dior Homme; and Antaeus.

Hehe, to each his own indeed! To be fair, I'm being a little harsh on the Concentrée version. I have nothing against it, I'm just really annoyed that nowhere seems to be selling the original anymore. I find it interesting that you only get 2 hours out of the original - a single spray on each arm lasts me a good 6-7 hours, and even when it's basically gone I get a nice warm powdery scent to my skin for the rest of the day. It's certainly never particularly easily audible, but I personally like that hushed style.